wildcatfan

Everything you said here is likely, but there's always a possibility that someone like a Brian Gish (class of 2009) lands a D2 offer. Nonetheless, D3 or NAIA are nothing to sneeze at. Not many high school players have the chance to continue playing basketball after high school. I hope all of these boys get to play beyond high school if they want to. All are fine players.

Yes, Gabbard, Popp, and Schulze all hestitated at taking threes last year, as compared to the previous year. I've heard that it wasn't encouraged as much last year as it was the previous year, and I also saw hesitancy/second guessing that affected their accuracy. Maybe they were afraid they would be pulled from the game for taking/missing certain types of shots. I feel Popp and Gabbard can knock down 3s more consistently when they have the green light. I've seen them do it for several years in AAU, and prior to last year, in school ball.

As often happens in the working world, perhaps it came down to politics, coach's preferences, etc.?

Good point. Academics come first and should at any level. I know D2 programs also regularly monitor academic progress of athletes and ensure they are tutored if they need it.

He played for Star Sports (offshoot of Shining Star Sports).

Thanks. This is a good example of a player who for one reason or another did not get the opportunity to play much in high school, yet he was recognized for recruited for standing out in AAU ball.

The thread title says 9th region, but the original list also included the 8th and 10th region teams in NKY (Scott, Brossart, SK, Walton Verona).

I thought McFarland really improved his game last year and shot better from outside too. McFarland has played AAU ball with several of these types of players. He might not come in as an underclassman and tear it up, but I think he will be a contributor by the time he graduates. Good defender with long arms. Athletic and handles the ball well enough to help bring the ball up the floor. He was Boone's best player last year, IMO.

When I say offer, I mean the spot is being held (until a reasonable time) until the player makes a decision as to whether they want to/can come there. You are right -- they are recruited. They can offer things like work/study positions to some of their players if they qualify for any financial aid. There are about 20 players on most of these teams. Many, but not all of the freshman and sophomores play on the JV team, just like in high school.

Roster spots are already being held, and financial aid/athletic scholarship packages have been offered. There is no tryout. The boys have been watched by the coaches and recruited to come play for them. The spots were offered after the coaches watched them play in school and/or AAU ball. Of course, athletic scholarships aren't offered at the D3 level.

I believe there will be one D1 (R. Johnson) from this class. Pittman could eventually too. J. Johnson could go D2, and Gabbard too. Others could, but admittedly, it is more of a longshot. NAIA is more likely than D2. D3 is nothing to belittle. D3 coaches pick the players, not the other way around...

D3 and NAIA coaches recruit players just like other schools. There are also 20 players on most high school rosters. There are far fewer D3 college teams than high school teams. Kids don't play unless the coach recruits/invites them.

Popp already has multiple offers for D3 teams and others are recruiting him. He has been solid but not spectacular on at the high school level. AAU ball is where he has fared better. He seems to be better in open court, transitional basketball rather than the style of offense Boone typically plays.

He was invited to Ohio Dominican recently and is still being recruited by them. He already has a couple of firm offers to play at D3 schools. I'm sure Popp garnered his interest from his play in national AAU tournaments this summer, because he did not play much the second half of last high school season. Who knows if he will end up with a D2 offer. Guess we'll have to wait and see. Earls also has a solid offer to play on a D3 team now.

I heard Sorrell is looking very good in workouts. It sounds like he could become a key player for NKU, if not this year, then in the future.

Popp is

I heard the Ashland offer was pulled with Jordan Berlin committed to them. Is that true?

I'd say sleepers are Avery, Cotton, Popp, McDaniels, Coleman, Nichols (if he plays), Bryan, Grote, Watson. Any of these boys (who aren't getting as much hype) are all very capable of playing with most players who have been listed top 10 here.

I personally wouldn't put McLeish higher than 6. He is a good defender, but Gabbard is a better ball handler and passer and shoots/scores just as well. Kowolonek is a better rebounder and scorer. McDaniel is not quite athletic enough to be in top 10 IMO. Not a great rebounder/jumper, defender, or ball handler. Nice shooter, however. Perhaps put Avery, Popp, or Cotton in top 10 instead.

I don't see him on their roster on their web site. I wonder if he red-shirted.

Don't remember his name, but I remember him. The college coaches must have seen something the high school coach didn't.

There are players not on these lists who already have already received offers. It happens in many regions of the state because these types of lists are created by fans, coaches, and family members and are not always accurate, especially the further down the list one goes. They are often based on opinions and perceptions, which are sometimes accurate, and sometimes not. Perceptions once formed are hard to change and are often formed without having seen all of the good players play or having seen each of them play enough and head to head over a period of time. Everybody has opinions, perceptions, and/or biases. Some kids fly under the high school radar and excel in AAU, and vice versa, for a variety of reasons. D3 basketball usually has some of the most talented or best shooters and smartest, most fundamental players, IMO. They just may just not be as athletic or as big as D1 players. It will be interesting to see which kids on and off these lists actually end up with offers to play at the next level, whether they accept them or not. I think that some of the kids mentioned in the top 10 on this thread may not be offered spots to play on college teams, even if they are academically eligible, and other kids who are not on these lists will be offered, because college coaches don't offer spots to players unless they think those players are talented with respect to their peers and/or have the potential to be good college players. Besides R. Johnson and Gabbard, who else on these top 10 lists has received offers to play at the next level so far? I hope as many kids get the chance to play college basketball as possible.

I heard he has offers from Akron and EKU.

OK. I remember a Giesler hitting from outside and thinking he seemed like a good shooter from outside. The player probably had at least 10 points in the game. Could this have been his brother?

Cotton is very athletic. He came on as the season progressed. He had a lot of dunks off of runouts and lobs from Gabbard. That's how he got the majority of his points. He was also able to knock down catch-and-shoot 10 footers. Beyond that, he needs to work on putting the ball on the floor to create for himself. Good shot jumper/blocker, but doesn't have the body/strength to guard the physical bigs when posted up, and he doesn't dribble well enough to be a 1 or 2. That being said, he and Popp should have a good year. Popp played well until he was in the doghouse with his coach the last third of the season. If Popp does what his coaches ask he should get the playing time this year and be recognized of the better guards/players in the ninth. His style of play is more suited to open court, transitional basketball instead of the methodical half court that Boone often plays. He is a penetrator/slasher. He flourished in AAU ball this summer with the Shining Stars and got a lot of college interest as a result. Both of these boys could end up in the top 10. I agree Holmes, Highlands, and Boone should all have 3 of the top 20 teams in the state.